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Hello Again My Friends.
A couple of years ago I visited the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque located in Abu Dhabi. The beauty and peacefulness of the place left me breathless. I was also left wide eyed in awe of the loving craftsmanship of the decorations adorning the walls, floors and pillars of this holy place of worship.

Below are some photos that I took while I was there.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – Abu Dhabi

Coloured marble and mother of pearl inlay on a pillar

I absolutely love this place and as a non-Muslim, I appreciate its peace, spirituality, beauty and the fact that everyone is welcome to visit.
SO last year, when I saw a book called “Constantinople Quilts” my antennae twanged like mad and I had to get myself a copy. At the time I was stony broke but promised myself I would buy it next time I saw it.

Well, guess what? Even better than buying a copy, I received an invitation from my local quilt shop in Dubai, Classic Quilts, to attend a session with none other than the lovely, talented author herself – Tamsin Harvey.
Anyone who knows me will know that I jumped up and down with joy at the prospect.

Tamsin brought the quilts from her book to Dubai and told us the story of their creation; from her initial inspirations from the Iznik tiles, of her family connection with Turkey from the First World War, the photography of the quilts in the historic locations in Istanbul and the stitching and technical twiddly bits that only quilters really want to know.
Throughout her presentation to us I felt her passion, joy and love of her craft, of her inspirations and the journey she is still travelling in bringing it all to us; the crafter and reader.

I not only came away happily clutching a signed copy of Tamsin’s book, “Constantinople Quilts” I also came away filled with inspiration and excitement; an impatient excitement to get going with my dreams and ideas.
Thank you to Mala Ramakrishnan of Classic Quilts http://classicquiltsdubai.com/ for arranging this session and thank you to Tamsin from Berrima Patchwork NSW Australia https://www.berrimapatchwork.com.au/ for visiting us in Dubai and kicking my mojo back where it should be.

I don’t know about you but I sometimes find that inspiration leaps out from the most unexpected places.
I discovered a fabulous little known paper shop tucked away in a new mall close to my house. I love it when I stumble upon treasures like this place.
Anyway, after rummaging through their paper stock I found a sheet of card stock with a tree on it. You know that moment when you have a sudden intake of breath? Well, I just had to buy it….
This is the result of that inspiration; a huggy cushion cover for my BFF –

The card source is from the Simply Spring line from Bella BLVD, Art & Design by Stephanie Smokovich.
Check out their website https://www.bellablvd.net for more fun stuff.
I love the Fresh Market – especially the Tutti Fruiti. Simply too delicious 🙂

And while we’re on the subject of fruit and markets; Kevin Kosbab’s book, “The Quilter’s Applique Workshop” has a scrummy Fruit Market Quilt project. I love the clear bright colours and simple shapes that make up the yummy blocks.

I’m still messing with this for a large squashy cushion and having lots of fun with it. I can’t decide which fruit is my favourite…
What do you think?

Another cushion cover I made recently was inspired by Wendy Williams from her book, “Wild Blooms & Colorful Creatures”

I adore the silhouette idea. This pair of peaceful looking birds are appliqued onto printed linen. The colours and the linen lend a more sophisticated and upmarket feel to the finished product; just perfect for my bird loving friend.

So to all my lovely blog friends old, new and yet to be, sending you love and hugs.
Keep stitching and if you’re not stitching, be happy 🙂
Cx xxx

Hello Again
Goodness, I feel like the number 7 bus: nothing for weeks then 3 posts in a row 🙂 🙂 🙂
I had to post again today after finding these wonderful coaster buddies in my mail box.
My uber talented swap partner from Canada mailed me my box of goodies back in August. I think you’ll agree they were certainly worth the wait 🙂

Hello Everyone
My goodness, where did October go?
How time whizzes by without us noticing and suddenly a year has slipped passed.

Last year my neighbour’s little girl E started taking an interest in my sewing activities and quite often would come and stand beside me and watch me using my sewing machine as I made quilts and clothes. She would chatter on as little girls are apt to do and one day she asked me if she could have a go…..
I almost died at the prospect of a then 7 year old using my very expensive, I can’t live out, sewing machine…
So I made a compromise and suggested she had a go at hand sewing.
I prepared a little project for her using brightly coloured embroidery threads, aida fabric and a “safe” ish sewing needle. As I expected, she tangled herself up in it but she had a lovely time just sitting with me and enjoying the creative journey.

I was so pleased to see that she was genuinely interested in the craft that put together a little sewing kit for her birthday and made her a needle book to go with it.
Later, I was thrilled to discover that E was sewing with her Grandmother as well.

A couple of weeks ago I had another visitation as I was sewing and E reminded me that her birthday was coming up soon as asked me if I would make her another needle book.

“Another needle book? What happened to your old one?”

I fully expected to hear that she had lost it, but no!
It lives permanently at Granny’s 🙂 and she wanted one for home.

Hello Everyone.
WOW! Where has the time gone?
It seems like yesterday summer was rolling in and now autumn is upon us…
At least the scorching heat is giving way to cooler mornings and balmy evenings, my second favourite time of year here in Dubai. Perfect for hitting the beach and playing in the sand and surf 🙂

Well, below are photos of my latest offerings for the Fall Inspired Mug Rug Swap organised by Michele Foster from the Quilting Gallery.
This time my recipient is in Belgium 🙂
Enjoy
Lots of love
Chrissie x

Hello Everyone
This week I’ve been brought down to earth with a bit of a bump by a reminder that autumn is almost upon us!
What a long hot summer it’s been here. While my blog may have been quiet I have been very busy, not least with having a go at making a double wedding ring runner. More to come on that one.

Well, along with the reminder was an invitation to take part in another mug rug swap 🙂 Hooray!
If you have seen my previous posts, you will know that I’m a big fan.
Take a look at the link, why not join in and have a go?

Decision made 🙂
I stepped outside my comfort zone, left behind my beloved blanket stitch and went for the naïve look.
It was surprisingly more tricky to do than I thought, but overall I’m quietly pleased with the results.

Take a look and let me know what you think….

Next to create the backs, maybe pinwheels, maybe…… oh the sweet agony of another creative decision 🙂

Hello Again
I don’t usually post up twice in one day, but I’m so happy to be back at my sewing machine trying out Vicki Ruebel’s Little Buddy Coasters for Michel Foster’s swap.
I’ve been messing about with different applique techniques and really cannot decide which one to do.
Take a peep and let me know which one you like best.
Enjoy, I certainly have 🙂
While you’re at it, why not check out Vicki’s blog?http://www.quiltinglodgeblog.com/
TTFN
Chrissie

Hello Again Friends
I can finally reveal my secret project 🙂
It is a memory quilt reflecting the life of our Akela of 2nd Dubai Cub Scouts.
Our Cub Scout Leader will leaving at the end of this term 😦 after XX ahem years of living in Dubai and the Middle East and having given more than XX ahem years of service to Scouting.
So what do you give to a man who has dedicated a huge amount of his time to such a worthy cause?
A quilt of course 🙂 which we presented to him last night amid a few tears and blubbing later on.

Aklea will be sorely missed by the Cubs and Leaders as well as all his friends here.
He leaves a large hole and a huge pair of boots to be filled.
I just hope I’m big enough to fill them.
I will do my best…..